History of sports gambling

The historical past of sports gambling in the usa dates back on the occasions when the founders took risks. Back then gamblers bet on cockfights, makeshift horse races and bare fist fights. Colonists and Pioneers that landed in the united states from Europe and England specifically had betting within their veins as their ancestors gambled for generations. Therefore "sports betting" was obviously a normal part and parcel of the early American culture.

Today it is obvious that sports betting activities are definitely the rage all over the world. With all the ease of online sports betting, it has made the sport all the more convenient and cheaper. Though previously the sports betting section was small, today it's permeated almost every facet of society.

Horse racing was popular in the 19th and early 20th Centuries and was appreciated mainly by the upper class. But horse tracks began to appear after the Civil War and soon gamblers coming from all sectors of society flocked to those racing establishments. Bookies had a hold over the gambling population and they were setting odds on horses that enhanced the betting handle. Bookies would reduce the odds on other horses to increase their attractiveness when there was a lot of money on a particular horse. By 1920s horse racing had reached the peak with more than 300 racetracks all over the US.

Professional baseball gained popularity from the late 1800s and "pool cards" came into use. The "Black Sox Scanal" which was "fixed" rocked the united states and the public received an adverse view of sports bettors. Although gambling was against the law most people considered sports gambling as a harmless victimless crime. College football and basketball also gained popularity with bettors as baseball and boxing. Pool cards were as popular as ever even though the odds of these cards were in the bookies favor.

In the majority of US cities, sports gambling activities were becoming a section of life and many youngsters were being exposed to the sports betting industry at a very early age. Some experts have said, "Sports gambling was getting more popular than hot dogs!" Soon Leo Hirschfield started Athletic Publications that became the sports betting world standard for nearly three decades.

Established in 1930 this company set lines in sports events and distributed them to bookmakers in the nation via the telegraph or telephone He also printed sports information which helped bookies produce better lines and gamblers make smarter decisions. The publication that was most popular was The Green Sheet. He was legitimate even though his customers were illegal bookies.

Sports gambling was ultimately legalized in Nevada in the year 1931 and the states financial situation which had been in dire straits during those times, transformed significantly. Legalized boxing and sports gambling activities made it a hot spot for tourists and this changed its economic condition for the better.

A resolution was passed in 1951 by way of the Congress that imposed a 10% tax on every sports bet. New regulations permitted the bookies to come out of the dark and work openly. Turf clubs were the first legal sports books in Nevada and they were sometimes called "sawdust" rooms. In 1980s Roxborough became a major part of sports gambling and brought in the technology that revolutionized sports gambling.

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